 Description
Lisinopril belongs to the class of
medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitors).
It is primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and certain
coronary conditions. ACE inhibitors are also being successfully used as
Migraine preventive medications.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks
of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This
is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lisinopril, the
following should be considered:
Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic
reaction to benazepril, captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril,
lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy-
FDA pregnancy category D. This means that lisinopril is known to
harm an unborn baby. When used during the second and third
trimesters of pregnancy, lisinopril can cause injury and even death to
the developing fetus. Do not take lisinopril if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding-
It is not known whether lisinopril passes into breast milk, and its
effects on a nursing baby are not known. Do not take lisinopril without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Children-
Children may be especially sensitive to the blood pressure–lowering
effect of ACE inhibitors. This may increase the chance of side effects
or other problems during treatment. Therefore, it is especially
important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that this
medicine may do as well as the risks of using it.
Older adults-
This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 65
years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side
effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines-
Always tell your doctor all
medications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Before taking lisinopril, tell your doctor if you take or use:
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others)
- indomethacin (Indocin)
- a potassium supplement such as
K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others
- any of the diuretics (water pills)
triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone),
or amiloride (Midamor) spironolactone (Aldactone),
or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide)
- any other diuretic (water pill) such
as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix),
bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others
- use a salt substitute that contains
potassium
Lisinopril can affect potassium levels in
the body. You may not be able to take lisinopril, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the
products listed above.Other medical problems-
Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease or kidney transplant
- Heart or blood vessel disease
- Liver disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Diabetes
- are on a salt-restricted diet or
have high levels of potassium in your blood
- Dehydration
Proper Use of This Medicine-
- Take lisinopril exactly as directed
by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your
pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass (8
ounces) of water.
- Lisinopril can be taken with or
without food.
- Do not stop taking lisinopril
without first talking to your doctor.
Dosing-
The dose of lisinopril will
be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or
the directions on the label. The number of tablets that you take depends
on the strength of the medicine.
Missed dose-
If you miss a dose of this
medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take
only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of
this medication.
Storage-
- Keep out of the reach of children,
since overdose may be very dangerous in children.
- Store away from heat and direct
light.
- Do not store in the bathroom medicine cabinet, near the
kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the
medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or
medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out
of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
- It is important that your doctor
check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine
is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
- Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Lisinopril may
cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use
caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.
- Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may
increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking lisinopril.
Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and
dizziness when you are taking lisinopril.
- Do not use salt substitutes or
potassium supplements while taking lisinopril except under the
supervision of your doctor.
- Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea,
or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure,
dizziness, and fainting during therapy with lisinopril. Maintain
proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects.
- Before you have any medical tests,
tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The
results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
- Check with your doctor right away if
you become sick while taking this medicine, especially with severe or
continuing nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. These conditions may cause
you to lose too much water and lead to low blood pressure.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or
fainting also may occur if you exercise or if the weather is hot.
Heavy sweating can cause loss of too much water and result in low
blood pressure. Use extra care during exercise or hot weather.
- Before having any kind of surgery
(including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical
doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.
Side Effects of This Medicine
If you experience any of the following
serious side effects, stop taking lisinopril and call your doctor
immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives)
- an irregular heartbeat or changes in
your heartbeat
- chest pain
- sever dizziness or fainting
- little or no urine
- difficulty breathing
- signs of infection including sore
throat and/or fever
Other side effects are less serious.
Continue to take lisinopril and talk to your doctor if you experience:
- headache
- mild dizziness or lightheadedness
- unusual fatigue or weakness
- dry, tickling cough
- numbness or tingling in the hands,
feet, arms, or legs
- diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea
- muscle cramps
- rash
- impotence
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. and Canada
|
